FLAT IS GOOD

Here’s a surprising stat, occurring as it does deep into a period when the single is king: Album sales are virtually flat year to date. What’s more, 12 albums have had 100k+ weeks during the first two months of this year vs. five at this point last year, while seven albums debuted with 100k or more vs. just two last year. Which proves the old saw that you’ve gotta release records to sell records. Releasing good records makes even more sense.

Here’s the breakdown: Album sales were up 5% vs. last week, down 4% vs. the same week last year and down less than 1% year to date, belying if not reversing the pattern we’ve seen in recent years. Digital album sales were up 4% vs. last week, up 1% vs. same week last year and up 4% year to date. Track sales were down 3% vs, last week, down 9% vs. same week last year and down 11% year to date. The industry as a whole was up 2% in TEA vs. last week, down 6% vs. the same week last year and down 4% year to date.